Blue Jays: LeMahieu “dismayed”, now is the time to pounce

If reports are true that DJ LeMahieu is upset with the Yankees, the Blue Jays should see an opportunity to pounce on signing the star infielder.

We’re almost halfway through January and the Blue Jays have yet to make an impact addition to their roster, something we’ve been waiting for all offseason. However, a prime opportunity may be in front of them with one of their preferred targets this week.

According Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, LeMahieu is feeling “dismissed” about the lack of urgency to re-sign him from his former employer. In fact, apparently it’s at the point that LeMahieu “has told his agent to engage with other clubs” other than the Yankees.

After being arguably the best producer in a talented New York lineup over the last couple of seasons, it’s hard to blame LeMahieu for feeling a little disrespected. I’m sure the Yankees would love to have him back, but they have a complicated payroll situation this winter as they deal with the luxury tax threshold, and they may not have the room to re-sign the veteran and also address their other needs. Regardless, the Blue Jays need to take the opportunity to make LeMahieu feel wanted, and hopefully sign the impact upgrade they’ve been seeking.

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In a lot of ways LeMahieu would be a perfect fit in Toronto. He has the ability to play either second or third base, so between him and Cavan Biggio the Blue Jays would find an infield set-up that would work well along with Bo Bichette at shortstop and Vladimir Guerrero Jr at first base. More importantly, LeMahieu has been one of the best hitters in baseball for a few years now, and his .364/.421/.590 batting average from 2020 shows that he’s still at the top of his game.

The complicating factor, and the likely reason that the Yankees haven’t just brought him back is that he’s projected for an expensive raise this winter. He just finished a two-year, 24 million dollar deal that turned out to be a bargain for New York, but it doesn’t sound like the Bronx Bombers are interested in making it up to him. According to Brown:

"“Teams that have engaged with the LeMahieu camp say LeMahieu expects more than Josh Donaldson’s four-year, $92 million deal with the Minnesota Twins and at least on par with J.D. Martinez’s five years and $110 million with the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees, LeMahieu’s preferred club after two successful seasons in the Bronx, have not met those terms.”"

Would the Blue Jays be willing to meet LeMahieu’s demands? That’s a hefty ask, but I think it’s worth considering. He has a skill set that should age well, and even if his power diminishes a bit without the short porch in right field at Yankee stadium, he’d still bring a lot to Charlie Montoyo’s lineup card. It would also help to close the gap in the AL East, as not only would he provide an upgrade in Toronto, his absence weakens the Yankees in a significant way.

My guess is that Ross Atkins and his staff may not be willing to go quite to five years and 110 million, but now might be the time to show LeMahieu’s camp that they’re serious about making him a Blue Jay. If the Yankees still aren’t even in the ballpark (earlier reports suggested they’d offered four years and 75 million), it might not be wise to give them the time to find the money, or even a greater sense urgency ahead Opening Day.

So far the Blue Jays have come up short on their pursuits of Francisco Lindor, George Springer, Ha-Seong Kim, and likely several more. If LeMahieu is really in a place where he’s mentally moving on from New York, that could Atkins the opportunity to make sure he doesn’t strike out this winter, and greatly improve the roster all at the same time.